Daniel Cabena

Canadian countertenor Daniel Cabena is highly regarded in both Canada and Europe for prize-winning performances ranging from baroque to contemporary repertoire.

As Lydie-Anne in the world premiere of Les Feluettes (March/Bouchard) with Opera de Montreal, critic Richard Turp declared his performance “both profoundly touching and utterly compelling, his vocal poise and theatrical aplomb constantly rewarding.” Daniel reprised his role with Pacific Opera Victoria and Edmonton Opera.

At the forefront of Canada’s contemporary music scene, Daniel performs in Soundstreams 2021 season in the fully staged digital production of Garden of Vanished Pleasures, based on the texts of English artist and queer rights activist Derek Jarman, with music by Cecilia Livingston and directed by Tim Albery. Daniel starred as Ochre in Turning Point Ensemble’s 2018 premiere of The Mute Canary (Komorous) at the New Opera festival in Ostrava, Czech Republic, followed by performances in Vancouver.

This season, Daniel is a soloist in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Ottawa Choral Society and in 2022, performs Bach Cantatas with Montreal’s Pallade Musica Ensemble Baroque. Canadian concert performances include Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with Grand Philharmonic Choir/Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, as well as Bach’s St. John Passion with Ottawa Choral Society, Messiah with Victoria Symphony, Vancouver Chamber Choir and Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Daniel has curated engaging programmes including “The Dark Side of Love” with Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, featuring arias by Rossini and Handel, and “Death by Chocolate” (works by Purcell) with Winnipeg’s Camerata Nova.

European engagements for this exceptional artist include performances with Musica Fiorita, Ensemble Diapsalma, Le Concert Spirituel, and the Schlossmediale Festival. Daniel has performed baroque repertoire with many of Canada’s most prestigious ensembles, including Bach’s Mass in G Minor at National Arts Centre with Bernard Labadie, Conductor.

As a recipient of the Virginia Parker awarded by Canada Council for the Arts, Daniel toured Atlantic and Central Canada with pianist Stephen Runge in a concert entitled “Sanctuary in Song”, featuring works by Finzi, Britten, Butterworth and Vaughan Williams. Daniel and Stephen recently recorded their elegant recital, now available on CD through Amazon and Spotify.